African Football

[zudomiriku]

Kanoute: New generation can lift Mali



The ongoing CAF Africa Cup of Nations has so far seen a rejuvenated Mali impress during the group phase, edging out Niger 1-0 in the opener and drawing with Congo DR 1-1 to set up a mouth-watering quarter-final showdown with South Africa on Saturday. Skippered by former Barcelona star Seydou Keita and featuring a host of talented youngsters, the Eagles remain on target to surpass their last-four finish in the 2004 edition.

Their amazing run in the continental campaign nine years ago, of course, was largely attributed to striking-ace Frederic Kanoute. The French-born forward was on target four times, including opening the scoring in the 2-1 quarter-final defeat of Guinea as his side stormed into the semi-finals. Although a four-goal tally saw him finish tournament joint top-scorer alongside the likes of Patrick Mboma and Jay-Jay Okocha, their 4-0 semi-final loss to Morocco and failure to take the continental crown still cuts deep.

"Our failure to win the African title and to qualify for a World Cup is the biggest disappointments of my career," the 35-year-old marksman told FIFA.com. "But that is life. Although I am not playing for the national team anymore, I hope this young generation can achieve these goals."

"A great performance in the Cup of Nations will give a sense of hope for our brothers and sisters in Mali."
Federic Kanoute

Having seen his side's brilliant display thus far, Kanoute is hoping Mali continue to show form on the African scene and bring a smile to the citizens of his conflict-troubled nation.

"I believe a breakthrough will come soon," he said. “Our country is going through a difficult period and there are of course some urgent problems to tackle. But a great performance in the Cup of Nations will give a sense of hope for our brothers and sisters in Mali."

The continental final competition, according to Kanoute, provides the Malians with a chance to not only inspire the people through their performances, but also to prepare for the forthcoming second qualifying round for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ where they will open against Rwanda on 22 March.

"Qualifying for a world cup is always a long and hard process,” he said. “Football in Africa has made great progress over recent years so all the teams are competitive. With so many sides battling for only a few qualifying spots, there is no easy games. But inside me I believe Mali can make it through [to our first FIFA World Cup] at the God's will."

International retirement
After his eye-catching showing at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations, the towering striker went on to feature significantly for Mali on the road to Germany 2006, with the side progressing to the final round only to crash out due, in part, to their away form. Kanoute scored eight times during their bid for FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010 qualification, but again a lack of consistency cost them dearly as they stumbled at the final hurdle.

At club level, after spells with the likes of Lyon, West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur, Kanoute spent seven seasons with Sevilla during which he racked up 88 goals in 209 appearances. He departed for pastures new last June, joining Chinese Super League side Beijing Guoan.

"My time in Sevilla was wonderful, personally and professionally," said Kanoute, who, in 2007, was the first player born outside the continent to win the African Player of the year award. "But after my contract expired, I wanted to take new challenges in life so I moved to China. I am happy in Beijing and will give my best to my new team."

Asked about the goals he has set for the coming year, he acknowledged he is now focusing on his club career having called time on his national team career after their failed campaign for South Africa 2010.

"I hope I'll be able to help Beijing as much as possible, scoring goals in my second season and helping the team improve with my experiences,” he said. “I'd like to win a title with the capital club."

Despite his international retirement, Kanoute conceded Mali remains a special source of pride. "I gave my best when I played for Mali, and representing the national team was always my biggest pride,” said Kanoute. “Although I have decided to retire from international football in order to make way for the youngsters, I will always support the Mali team, even in a different way."

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1997908/index.html?cid=newsletter_en_20130131_newsid1997908

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Moses hits late brace to sneak Nigeria through



Two late penalties from Victor Moses saved Nigeria from an embarrassing CAF Africa Cup of Nations exit as they booked their place in the quarter-finals with victory over Ethiopia.

The Super Eagles were heading out of the competition because of their disciplinary record until Moses, who won both spot-kicks, netted the first in the 79th minute. And he repeated the trick in the 90th minute, scoring past midfielder Addis Hintsa after goalkeeper Sisay Bancha had been sent off for conceding the penalty. Ethiopia had already used all their substitutes.

The goals got Nigeria out of jail, after they had dominated without managing to find a way past their opponents. A goalless draw would have seen them eliminated on a fair play system, with holders Zambia the side set to profit.

Nigeria started brightly and Efe Ambrose headed over from a Moses free-kick after only two minutes.

Ethiopia came into the game bottom of the pool, but still in with a shout of going through. And they threatened when Dawit Estifanos swung in a corner, which Saladin Said headed over.

But for the most part they were on the back foot and Ikechukwu Uche headed another Moses free-kick over the top, while Uwa Elderson Echiejile met another Moses ball in and brought a parry out of Sisay.

Nigeria had a golden chance to take the lead on the stroke of half-time when Kenneth Omeruo's shot fell kindly for Emmanuel Emenike in the area, but he blazed wildly over the bar.

The Nigeria fans were starting to lose patience with their side's failure to make the breakthrough, having seen them concede late equalisers in their previous two matches.

Godfrey Oboabona had a header cleared off the line and keeper Sisay needed two attempts to clutch a Sunday Mba shot before Moses finally calmed the nerves. The Chelsea man was chopped down by Alula Girma as he broke into the area to win a penalty, which he placed coolly into the bottom right corner.

Ethiopia almost grabbed an equaliser only for Nigeria keeper Vincent Enyeama to pulled off a fine save from Saladin.

But Moses made sure of the points when he raced clear only to be sent flying by Sisay. A penalty was the decision and the keeper shown a second yellow card. Hintsa was finally handed the gloves, but Moses beat him easily from the spot, this time going low to the opposite left corner, to send Nigeria through.

http://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/news/newsid=1997650/index.html?cid=newsletter_en_20130131_newsid1997650

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Why John Obi Mikel Should Have Been Named AFCON MVP



Jonathan Pitroipa’s MVP gong from the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations will be little consolation for the Rennes winger, whose Burkina Faso side was defeated 1-0 by Nigeria in Sunday’s final. But even it should have found itself in the grasp of a Super Eagle, and there were two or three who would have been more worthy recipients than Pitroipa.

This is not to take anything away from the 26-year-old, whose heroics in the quarterfinals against Togo helped ensure the Stallions would continue galloping toward their first ever major final. Pitroipa was one of the best players in South Africa the past three weeks, but in no way was he the best.

That honor falls to Nigeria’s John Obi Mikel, and he should have been given the official recognition to confirm what everyone already knows. He should have been crowned Player of the Tournament.

Mikel’s importance to Nigeria became evident as soon as manager Stephen Keshi named his roster for the competition. Keshi bravely omitted several establishment players from the 23-man squad he took to the Cup of Nations, including Yakubu, Peter Odemwingie, Obafemi Martins, Dickson Etuhu, Taye Taiwo and Danny Shittu. Instead, the team he selected was comprised of five domestic-based players and only two—goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama and captain Joseph Yobo (who wasn’t a starting player)—with more than 50 caps to their names.

Mikel, at 25, was immediately the elder statesman of the midfield, and he vindicated Keshi’s daring by playing some of the best football of his life.



With Ogenyi Onazi and Sunday Mba alongside in the centre of the park, Mikel marshalled what proved to be the tightest, most organized midfield in South Africa—something that was never expected, given the disorderly nature of Nigeria sides past. He also led by example instead of letting his notoriously erratic behavior get the better of him, and if anything his soft-spoken approach made him a model for his younger teammates.

So often a lightning rod of controversy in the Premier League, he was nothing of the sort at the Cup of Nations. While barely three months before he had been handed a three-match suspension for bursting into referee Mark Clattenburg’s changing room with allegations of racial abuse that were later proved unfounded, at this tournament he played with his mouth closed, his brain operational and his maturity blossoming.

As a result, we saw a player we’ve only seen in patches during his time at Chelsea. Robust in a defensive role in front of the back four and imperious on the ball and in his movement, Mikel was the best midfielder on the park in every match he played. That Nigeria so fully deserved their quarterfinal win over Ivory Coast was largely down to him; that the Nigerian attackers had a platform from which to demolish Mali was largely down to him.

That the centre of the park was shut to Burkina Faso’s passing was largely down to him, and Nigeria won the tournament’s showcase match because of it.

There was an array of stars at the 2013 Cup of Nations, and Pitroipa was certainly among them. But Mikel was a supernova. And when he shone, the stars disappeared.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1524167-why-john-obi-mikel-should-have-been-named-afcon-mvp

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Ambrose: We leave as giants



On Sunday, Nigeria won the CAF Africa Cup of Nations for the third time in their history after Sunday Mba's goal five minutes before the break gave the Super Eagles a 1-0 victory against Burkina Faso. In an exclusive interview, Celtic defender Efe Ambrose, who was named in CAF's team of the tournament, tells FIFA.com that the side came to the finals as underdogs, but are leaving as giants.

FIFA.com: Before the tournament, everybody was talking about Côte d'Ivoire, did that help take some of the pressure off your side?
Efe Ambrose: Yes, we came here as an underdog. Nobody gave us a chance because of the calibre of players we have. People were saying we have inexperienced players, but they don't know football. Football these days is not about experience, it is all about determination, hard work and preparation. So, we proved them wrong, that is the most important thing.

How important was your coach Stephen Keshi to this success?
The coach had trust and confidence in the players. That matters the most, for without that, you cannot succeed. But he believed in us and that we could do it. From the start he told us that when we were here, there was nothing that could stop us from winning this cup. He said, even before we came here, that his aim was not only to win the cup, but to go to the Confederations Cup. The Confederations Cup is bigger than what we were playing for in South Africa. With his dream, it helped us a lot to know that we had a bigger thing ahead of us. Nobody gave Nigeria the chance because last year we did not even qualify for the finals, so everybody wrote us off. But this made us more determined to work hard, train more and prove people wrong. We wanted to make sure that we are a giant of African football, and we wanted to bring back the glory of the past to the present.

What will it mean for the Super Eagles to play at the Confederations Cup?
It is a big thing, and we are all looking forward to going to Brazil. And we will not only be going there to play for Nigeria, but we will go there to make Africa proud.

"We will not only be going there (Brazil 2013) to play for Nigeria, but we will go there to make Africa proud."
Nigeria defender Efe Ambrose

What does winning the title mean for you personally?
This is my biggest achievement that I have had to date. Before this, it was the Olympic silver medal from Beijing. But this is the biggest, so this is one of the greatest moments of my life. It was always my dream to play in the Nations Cup, but I would have never thought of winning it. So now I just have to thank God and all Nigerians, from the President to the last person in Nigeria for their belief. It is no longer about us on the pitch, it is all about team effort and we are one, because football unites us and I know people at Celtic and back home in Nigeria will be celebrating for us and waiting for the cup to be paraded in Nigeria.

What are your immediate plans?
I can only decide after I speak to my coach at Celtic because we have the Champions League game with Juventus coming up in a few days. So I have to speak to my coach first to be sure if he will allow me to go to Nigeria. But if he does not, I will accept it because it is my club, so they come first. When my club needs me, I just have to go there and help and see what we can do in the Champions League.

What do you think was the key to Nigeria's success?
We worked very hard and trained hard. It is not easy to achieve this, and it is due to the hard work and dedication which we put in place every day. We sacrificed so many things to be where we are now. But to win was always going to be a great sacrifice.

In 1996, Nigeria did not come to South Africa to defend their trophy. Was this like a belated vindication?
Yes, it was as if we came to defend our cup, which we were supposed to do then, but due to politics and other things, we could not defend it. It was also good to see that football brought us and South Africa together again. You could see the locals were cheering for us. When South Africa could no longer win, they were not happy, but we have made them happy by winning this cup.

http://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/news/newsid=2010179/index.html?cid=newsletter_en_20130214_newsid2010179

[zudomiriku]

Super Eagles soar all the way to Brazil



As usual, the CAF Africa Cup of Nations was an entertaining event that delivered more than its fair share of shocks, but in the end it was a familiar face that came out on top as Nigeria won their third continental crown – and with it the right to play in this June's FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil. It was just 12 months since the last finals, with the short turnaround caused by the switch over to odd years, but it was all change in South Africa. The Super Eagles did not even qualify a year ago, and the team they beat in the final, Burkina Faso, failed to earn a point.

The champions
Nigeria came into the Cup of Nations with the spotlight's glare mostly away from them, but once the Super Eagles hit top form, they never looked like buckling under the pressure. Led by wily 'Big Boss' Stephen Keshi, the Nigerians were organised, balanced and motivated, and in the end they were worthy winners. They began slowly in Group C with draws against Burkina Faso and Zambia, but the most populous nation in Africa won their final four matches, impressively brushing aside both the first and third-ranked teams on the continent - Côte d'Ivoire and Mali – in the knockout rounds. Losing finalists on four occasions, the last time in 2000 against Cameroon, an excellent goal in the final against the Stallions was enough to send the green and white on many victory laps around Soccer City.

The favourites
Defending champions Zambia were eliminated in the group stage, albeit from a section that included both finalists, but it was the first time qualifying holders had gone out that early since Algeria in 1992. The team the Chipolopolo beat in last year's finals, Côte d'Ivoire, were again pre-event picks for the fifth successive tournament, but the Elephants couldn't get into a higher gear when faced with a dogged Nigerian side. It was a sluggish event for the Ivorians in what is expected to be Didier Drobga's continental swansong. The captain and icon was seldom at his best, but the same could be said for the majority of the side's stars. Similarly, Ghana did not live up to expectations once out of the group stage, although they managed to reach the semi-finals for a fourth consecutive time. The Black Stars were very flattered by a 2-0 victory over impressive minnows Cape Verde Islands in the last eight, and they were outplayed by Burkina Faso in the last four even before going out on penalties. For the second consecutive event, they then lost to Mali in the third-place match.

The surprises
Certainly the Burkinabe were the big shocks, but they are no strangers to the finals having qualified for eight of the last 10 events. However, they had only ever once before escaped the group stage – when they hosted and reached the last four in 1998 – and inspirational coach Paul Put had them playing with bravery and flair. Otherwise, there was shock for an entire region as no north African team reached the knockout rounds for the first time since 1992 with Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco faltering at the first hurdle. In contrast, it was a fabulous event for west Africa. Not only were all of the semi-finalists from the region for the first time ever, but debutants Cape Verde and Togo reached the last eight for the first time.

The stars
Nigeria's Emmanuel Emenike scored four goals from open play to win the Golden Boot award, while Sunday Mba was an unlikely hero, scoring the winner against Côte d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso in the final, both of which showed marvellous skill, body control and vision. In the Nigerian defence, goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama was again a stalwart in front of a promising young defensive group good enough to keep team captain Joseph Yobo out of the team. However, the real stars for Nigeria were the Chelsea pair of John Obi Mikel and Victor Moses, who provided leadership, solidity and athletic prowess in spades.

For the losing finalists, Jonathan Pitroipa was an inspiration on the wings, deservedly winning the player of the tournament award. Forward Alain Traore scored three goals in the first two matches before suffering a leg injury that sent him home, but his replacement, Aristide Bance of the spiky blonde haircut, proved to be a powerful and bold replacement. Ghana's 22-year-old Mubarak Wakaso scored four goals, three from the penalty spot, while Tunisian youngster Youssef Msakni claimed the goal of the tournament for a fantastic winner from the edge of the area against Algeria. Mali's Seydou Keita was playing in his sixth Cup of Nations, and the former Barcelona man had perhaps his best, marshalling a talented midfield with aplomb.

Did you know?
Burkina Faso, who only won four points in their previous five AFCONs combined, are the lowest-ranked team to ever make the final of the tournament (92nd), and they only qualified because of a goal six minutes into second-half injury-time against Central African Republic.

The stat
2 – The number of men to have won the Cup of Nations as both a player and coach. Stephen Keshi, who was captain of Nigeria in 1994, joins Egypt's Mahmoud El Gohary.

Cup of Nations 'All Stars' Team
Vincent Enyeama (NGR); Efe Ambrose (NGR), Bakary Kone (BUR), Nando (CPV); Jonathan Pitroipa (BUR), Siaka Tiene (CIV), John Obi Mikel (NGR), Seydou Keita (MLI), Victor Moses (NGR); Asamoah Gyan (GHA), Emmanuel Emenike (NGR)

What they said
"The sky is the limit for this team,” said Keshi about his young champions.

http://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/news/newsid=2010112/index.html?cid=newsletter_en_20130214_newsid2010112

[Andi Istiabudi]

Penonton di Liga Nigeria Ditembak Polisi

Bola.net - Pertandingan kompetisi liga utama di Nigeria antara klub juara Kano Pillars dan Heartland terhenti setelah polisi menembak salah seorang penonton.

Kejadian itu terjadi hari Rabu (24/4) waktu Nigeria di Stadion Sani Abacha di Kano, sebelah utara Nigeria. "Pertandingan dihentikan karena Heartland menolak meneruskan pertandingan setelah seorang penonton ditembak polisi di kakinya di dalam stadion dan penonton melancarkan protes," kata ofisial bidang media Pillars, Idris Malikawa.

"Penonton itu disebutkan melakukan tindak ilegal - dan segera dilarikan ke rumah sakit."

Pertandingan masih belum menghasilkan gol setelah berlangsung setengah jam saat pertandingan dihentikan.

"Para penonton Pillars sempat bereaksi atas kejadian itu. Tapi situasi normal kembali namun Heartland menolak turun lapangan kendati mendapat jaminan dari petugas keamanan," imbuh Malikawa.

Namun bidang media Heartland Cajetan Nwokpara memberi komentar yang berbeda dengan mengatakan beberapa pendukung tim tuan rumah memasuki lapangan.

"Pertandingan kami terganggu karena beberapa penonton tuan rumah masuk lapangan dengan membawa pisau, kemudian memotong jala gawang dan merusak bendera pojok," ucapnya.(afp/lex)

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South Africa defender somehow survives horror crash in which his car is IMPALED

South Africa international Rooi Mahamutsa walked away with barely a scratch from a horrific car crash in his homeland.

Extraordinary and shocking pictures have emerged showing the wreckage of Mahamutsa's BMW 3-Series impaled on a guardrail after the smash.

Mahamutsa, who plays for the Orlando Pirates, was out driving when his car slipped on a wet patch out road, causing him to lose control of his vehicle and crash.

How did he survive? Rooi Mahamutsa's BMW was pictured after his horror car crash in South Africa


Terrifying: The Orlando Pirates defender had lost control of his car on a wet road before crashing


Wreckage: Mahamutsa's car was impaled by a rail guarding the edge of the road he was driving on


Lucky escape: Mahamutsa suffered only minor injuries in his car crash and was soon discharged from hospital

The dramatic pictures show that the rail guarding the edge of the road had somehow pierced the rear of his car and penetrated through the entire vehicle, exiting through the windscreen.

Incredibly, the 32-year-old defender walked away with just minor injuries from the incident. He was taken to Morningside hospital but soon discharged.

The crash took place near Marlboro, Johannesburg, earlier this month but the shocking pictures have only just emerged.

Mahamutsa has won three caps for Bafana Bafana.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2589009/South-Africa-defender-Rooi-Mahamutsa-survives-horror-crash-car-IMPALED.html

[zudomiriku]

selamat buat Pantai Gading yg jadi juara piala Afrika setelah mengalahkan Ghana lewat adu penalti 9-8 padahal 2 penalti awalnya gak masuk. kiper Ghana gagal penalti sedangkan kiper Pantai Gading sukses mengeksekusi penalti.
diperebutan juara III juga ditentukan lewat adu penalti, Kongo menang 4-2

[rondwisan]

Pantai Gading ditinggal Drogba malah juara yaa ...
Btw, congrat for the Champ ....

[zudomiriku]

Egypt 1-2 Cameroon: Vincent Aboubakar scores dramatic late winner in AFCON final to sink the seven-time champions